KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Knoxville apartment community was weatherized through a new program in the Knoxville Utilities Board area. A release from the utility company on Wednesday said 80 units were weatherized at the Summercrest Apartment complex.
The Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program operates under the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Through it, the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology completed the North Knoxville weatherization project. The program is available for income-eligible properties and low-income homes.
Weatherization included HVAC upgrades, installing new lights, new dryer vents, new faucet aerators, new insulation, new smart thermostats and more. With the upgrades, people's utility bills may fall while their health and comfort increase. And despite the weatherization upgrades — their rent will stay the same.
"Rent cannot increase because of the weatherization upgrades. Just because you got new heat pumps, the property has new heat pumps in the apartment, they can't expect to raise rent. They have to make sure the rent stays the same. And, more importantly, utility bills drop down," said a spokesperson.
ICAST plans to weatherize more than 5,000 units across the state by the end of 2027. KUB aims to have around 4,500 homes weatherized by 2030. The release said through a variety of programs like the Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover, Round It Up and TVA Home Uplift, energy usage in single-family homes decreased by around 15% on average.
